Tag Archives: Bloc Party

Weekly Gems 105

cactus? – Shitdisco

Cactus? by Riccardo Michelazzo

Cactus? by Riccardo Michelazzo

Cactus? is an innovative three-piece band from the industrial plains of Northern Italy.

Combining influences from the dance-punk phenomenon of mid-00s with the current Lo-fi Bedroom movement, adding to the mix 80s synths and samples – their new single ‘Shitdisco’, out now via Costello’s Records, is full of frenetic and unpredictable energy of crazy synths and poppy vocals.

Sounds like: Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Bloc Party

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

Stevie wolf – Paper maché doll

Stevie Wolf - Paper maché doll

Indie-pop savant Stevie wolf is paving the way with his refreshing approach to unconstrained honesty.

Diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and major anxiety disorder, as well as meeting a lot of set backs when it comes to making music, hasn’t stopped him exploring the constaints of both personal and societal expectations.

Sounds like: Myylo, Phil Good

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

On’yu – Done Without

On'yu - Done Without

On’Yu is the creation of Australian multi-instrumentalist and producer, Rob Eggleston.

His new single ‘Done Without’ is a sweet slowburner with crisp 80’s influenced electric piano mixed with a soulful-synth bass and blushes of neo-emo in there.

Sounds like: Patternist, LOYALS, 90’s Kids, La Bouquet, MILKK

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

Alexander 23 – Loving You Gets Hard

Alexander 23

Alexander 23 is calling it as it is, in the new song, ‘Loving You Gets Hard’.

Further showcasing his lyrical genius, the multi-million streaming Chicago-born singer/songwriter wishes to maintain normalcy as possible, and share his views on a compassionate relationship.

Sounds like: Lauv, Chelsea Cutler, Shoffy, Nolie

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Linney – Cool

Linney

Pop sensation Linney returns in 2020 with ‘Cool’.

The single is full of breezy vocals with a full-fledged pop essence, written about navigating the complications of losing someone, something close to Linney’s heart.

Sounds like: CAPPA, Paperwhite, Poema, Scavenger Hunt

Facebook | SoundCloud | Twitter | Instagram

Mazoulew – Circles Feat. Bonnie Wylde

Mazoulew

London-born, Italian-residing Mazoulew has been making music for 15 years.

Inspired by varying genres of Motown, acid jazz and drum&bass, the UK producer fuses these sounds with minimal and melodic electronic beats.

His new single features the ethereal vocals of Bonnie Wylde.

Sounds like: Kidnap, Model Man, Jessie Ware, Lane 8

Facebook | SoundCloud | Twitter | Instagram

NZCA LINES – Pure Luxury

NZCA LINES

NZCA LINES (aka Michael Lovett) shares his kooky and cosmic track, ‘Pure Luxury’.

It’s a rehashed response to the notions of luxury, status, and the insanity of pursuing material wealth in the face of environmental catastrophe.

Sounds like: Metronomy, Gold Panda, Ronika, Hot Chip, Ben Khan

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

East Harbor – Miss the Old You

East Harbor

It’s always a good sign when you turn the volume right up when initially listening to a track.

Florida-based quartet, East Harbor does just that in their infectious new single, ‘Miss the Old You’. Turn up and listen below.

Sounds like: La Bouquet, The Band CAMINO, The 1975, Manchester Orchestra

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Surf Rock Is Dead – Immaculate

Surf Rock Is Dead

The Surf Rock Is Dead (SRiD) boys are back with the sweeping ‘Immaculate’, lifted off their debut LP ‘Existential Playboy’ out on 1 May.

Whilst appearing genteel, this is anything but. A juxtaposition that addresses the bleakness of societal affairs and corrosion of daily life amidst the capricious decisions made by those in power.

Sounds like: Day Wave, Hazel English, Swimming Tapes, The Cure, Beauty Sleep

Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | Instagram

Fjord – Lay Down Your Veil

Fjord

Quebec-based duo Fjord are masters at creating lush, ambient pop, rich in both synthesized and recorded textures.

‘Lay Down Your Veil’ is the first single off Fjord’s forthcoming ‘Shallow Waters’ EP, which was written in Quebec City, produced in London with the help of Tim Bran (Bloc Party, London Grammar, La Roux), and features live string recordings from the Quebec Symphonic Orchestra.

Sounds like: Imogen Heap, Japanese House, Daughter, Solomon Grey

Twitter | Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

Continue reading

Anteros – Bonnie

Anteros

We love the videos that Anteros put out, and ‘Bonnie’ is another gem to add to the collection.

It’s been co-directed by lead singer Laura Hayden, and focuses on “Love, equality and Women Power: working together instead of against each other”.

Great message! Watch below.

Anteros are currently in the studio working on their debut album with producer Charlie Andrew (Alt-J, Marika Hackman, Bloc Party).

Sounds like: Blondie, Wolf Alice, Black Honey, Ladyhawke, Blondie, Garbage, The Cardigans

Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter

Continue reading

Chaos Chaos – Dripping With Fire

Chaos Chaos

New York-based sister act Chaos Chaos share their new single, ‘Dripping With Fire’.

Formerly in the band Smoosh, who performed with the likes of Bloc Party and Cat Power, the siblings are no beginners when it comes to playing in the music scene.

‘Dripping With Fire’ sheds light on sisterhood, and all its conflicts and memorabilia. Watch the video below, directed by Stephanie Dimiskovksi and inspired by Tina Barney’s portraits of families and Crystal Moselle‘s documentary ‘The Wolfpack’.

Tour Dates

30 Nov – Neumos @ Seattle, WA
1 Dec – Biltmore Cabaret @ Vancouver, BC
2 Dec – Obsidian @ Olympia, WA
3 Dec – Aladdin Theater @ Portland, OR
5 Dec – Starline Social Club @ Oakland, CA
6 Dec – Catalyst Atrium @ Santa Cruz, CA
7 Dec – Soho @ Santa Barbara, CA
8 Dec – The Irenic @ San Diego, CA
9 Dec – The Regent Theater @ Los Angeles, CA
10 Dec – Constellation Room @ Santa Ana, CA

Sounds like: Tennis, Emma Louise, IDER, Lucius, Niki & The Dove

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | YouTube | Instagram

Continue reading

VHS Collection – The Black

VHS Collection

VHS Collection

NYC synth-rockers, VHS Collection, return with ‘The Black’.

Channelling some Chris Isaak vibes (possibly as a result of only using analogue gear during the track’s recording), the light electronic floor filler is paradoxically about the darkest and ugliest emotions you suffer during a breakup.

It’s taken off their ‘Stereo Hype’ EP.

Sounds like: The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, Savoir Adore, Bloc Party, Brandon Flowers, Future Islands, The Bravery, MOTHXR, Empire Of The Sun

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram

VHS Collection – The Longest Drive

VHS Collection

VHS Collection

NYC-based, electronic synth-rock band, VHS Collection, share new track called ‘The Longest Drive’.

It’s a favourite of theirs to play at live shows, and it’s not surprising as this one apparently makes the crowd go nuts!

The band say ‘The Longest Drive’ is “about never wanting to grow up and about how people like to fake different levels of maturity.”

Listen below and book one of their shows asap.

Sounds like: The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, Savoir Adore, Bloc Party, Brandon Flowers, Future Islands, The Bravery

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram

Osaka – Vessel

Osaka

Osaka

Former high school friends and now housemates Edvard Hakansson, Gilbert Hulme and Jack McKenzie are Melbourne-based band, Osaka. They spend all of their spare moments practising in their own attic studio, and the result is an adhesive and energetic sound.

Whilst Osaka cites musicians and bands they look up to as The Strokes, Foals, Phoenix, Taylor McFerrin and The National, lead singer Edvard says this:

“We try not to directly listen to what our influences are doing. Instead, we know what we like to hear and always aim to make the music we want to hear – to be that band that we can never find in our library. In our writing, we want you to be able to hear an emotion, and feel it when you listen at a deeper level to the songs.”

‘Vessel’ was recorded with Malcolm Besley (Client Liaison, City Calm Down, Snakadaktal) and is out today.

Sounds like: Bloc Party, Foals, Editors

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram

Petite Noir – Chess

Petite Noir

Petite Noir

Petite Noir is South African Yannick Ilunga. You may recognise his name; he was the front man of electronic band, Popskarr and advocate of Capital of Cool.

The new track ‘Chess’ is produced by Luke Smith (Foals, Depeche Mode). The lyrics were constructed following an instant message conversation that Noir had on the day of recording. The new lyrics, rewritten about the demise of a relationship, instantly replaced the original lyrics Noir was preparing to record that very day.

The accompanying video was directed by Cieron Magat and was inspired by the works of Ghanaian photographer, Philip Kwame Apagya. Watch the video below:

The track has been taken from the forthcoming ‘King of Anxiety EP’, which is released 19 January 2015 via Domino’s sister label, Double Six.

Pre order on iTunes now to download ‘Chess’.

Sounds like: Kele, Bloc Party, Foals, Popskarr

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube

Continue reading

V V Brown – Faith (featuring Kele Okereke)

V V Brown Feat Kele Okereke

V V Brown Feat Kele Okereke

Now for some chilled indietronica.

Pop soulstress V V Brown has teamed up with Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke for the new version of ‘Faith’.

The track was originally featured on Brown’s ‘Samson & Delilah’ LP, which has a darker and edgier approach in comparison to her first album. This is thanks to Mercury Award winning producer Dave Okumu, who co-produced the LP with Brown.

The new version of the track is released on 28 April via YOY Records and can be pre-ordered on iTunes.

Sounds like: Bloc Party, I BREAK HORSES

Website | Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | Youtube

RAC – Let Go (feat. Kele and MNDR)

RAC

RAC

Half-Portuguese, half-American remix pro RAC lives in Portland, Oregon and has created over 200 indie-pop remixes for a wide range of interesting artists. He has now ventured into original releases, and has produced debut EP ‘Don’t Talk To‘ due for release on October 14th.

The first release is ‘Let Go‘ featuring MNDR and Kele Okereke of Bloc Party. It is a fun and catchy electro-pop indietronica tune, with a magnificently creepy video about a man being in a relationship with a cannibal and having to turn her in to the police. RAC makes a cool cameo playing some of his instruments as an invisible observer to the horror or this story.

RAC has announced his debut album will be out early 2014. The ‘Don’t Talk To’ EP will include:
1. Let Go (feat. Kele & MNDR)
2. Hollywood (feat. Penguin Prison)
3. Tourist (feat. Tokyo Police Club)
4. We Belong (feat. Katie Herzig)

Sounds like; Penguin Prison, Hot Chip, Friendly Fires, Yeasayer

Website | Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter